Help a struggling cyclist be Strong

qeaou

Dear Avid Cyclists,
First of all, don't treat this thread as a joke or anything like that,
it was not easy to put it together and it is serious.

A close cyclist friend (who I respectfully have to treat as anonymous in this forum)
Has been diagnosed early this year with stage 4 pancreatic cancer,
(I just learnt about this 2 months ago, and since supported him.
He has always been an avid cyclist and a contender in races,
(he always called himself the criterium master) - he has also participated as a B grade pro cyclist for 4 years (1994-1998)

Anyway, chemo did not show improvements, this type of cancer is spreading rapidly and at this point is a matter of managing rather than cure.
I started talking cycling with him and focused on the great and good things,
We stayed away from topics such as his treatment, career and just focused on the "hopefulls",
He was very enthusiastic since we started talking again, and his wife told me he started cycling again,
despite low energy levels.

I know there is not much we can do about his treatment, but I know there is something we can do about having him motivated and smiling.

I have engaged myself and riders I know, as well as a few bike shops and some contacts on local teams to do one thing (little response so far)
shoot as many pictures with a sign "Rob Be Strong!" so that I can send those to him or compile something.
I have engaged myself in going to all major scenic rides before the end of this year (hopefully we are not too late)
and always shooting a photo with the sign.

All in all, sorry for coming forward with this huge thing out of the blue,
but I don't think we have much time, and I just want to do something good.

If I could ask you guys to read this post and consider, perhaps joining in, I am sure this would make a World of difference.
I have started slowly with two photos, which are crap so far (but it is hard to take a photo of yourself with a phone)
(i have tried to engage social media, but it just simply does not work with people who do not love cycling, such as us)
If you have any questions about this just send me an personal message.

The only thing I would kindly ask, if you are up for it,
is too shoot photos during your rides with the sign.
(I always try to attach my first sign, but this is just a start, I think we can do much better, and am working hard to accomplish this)

Again, if this thread is out of place, or not relevant, I am sure admins will remove it,
but this is real,
and I am sure we can do something good - at least keep the guy smiling!
(I hope you appreciate the fact the he needs to remain anonymous, if we are posting photos with his first name)

theescapedslave

hey mate...lovely thing your doing...next time im out on a ride (i.e. when ive recovered from man flu) ill jump aboard.

Ec0

Nice idea, next time im out I'll try grab a shot and pop it on

Hoopdriver

Sounds like a great idea. And you sound like a good friend. I am a photographer and a cyclist so I ought to be able to come up with something. What is it you want me to do with the photos? Send to you? Post on my blog? Both? Something else? Just let me know.

qeaou

Thanks to all for great feedback and support.
This is really a great thing to see.

If you are having any issues with submitting your photos,
I am working on a solution to be able to upload, will keep you posted,
the temporare site was set up at www.robbestrong.com - I just need to create a way to be able to upload and comment,
coming very soon

qeaou

For any facebook users,
http://www.facebook.com/RobBeStrong

Uploaded a couple of recent photos already.
Thank you all for great support and a great cause,
this WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

qeaou

Hoopdriver wrote:

Sounds like a great idea. And you sound like a good friend. I am a photographer and a cyclist so I ought to be able to come up with something. What is it you want me to do with the photos? Send to you? Post on my blog? Both? Something else? Just let me know.

Mate!
Anything you'd like.
Your response and support is greatly appreciated (more than you can imagine)

qeaou

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zoAHyuJQmw

andy46

I'll try to get a pic over the weekend and pop it onto the Facebook page, great thing your doing

ethanhayes

My Grandad is essentially passing away due to cancer, can't be treated with anything because of his age and terrible heart, bloody shame.
So I can fully sympathise with you and your mate (but hey, who cant!)

Unless something comes up I'll get a picture tomorrow,rain or sine, 30mph winds or perfectly still
If it cheers the guy up for a minute or two then it's worth it - It would certainly make me smile!

qeaou

ethanhayes wrote:

My Grandad is essentially passing away due to cancer, can't be treated with anything because of his age and terrible heart, bloody shame.
So I can fully sympathise with you and your mate (but hey, who cant!)

Unless something comes up I'll get a picture tomorrow,rain or sine, 30mph winds or perfectly still
If it cheers the guy up for a minute or two then it's worth it - It would certainly make me smile!

Thanks for sharing, it is definitely worth to keep another guys hopes up and keep in smiling!
Very sorry to hear about your granddad.

Rulebritania

I'm away from my bike at the moment but will get a pic on FB soon. Great Idea and I hope it cheers Rob up and gives him strength.

Cleat Eastwood

Couldnt we have a few pics of cyclists wives/girlfriends norks (come on you were all thinking it) - I bet that'd cheer Rob up a lot more.

Kingy 123

To be told you have cancer and that your chances of beating it are low is something you never forget .

Theses are the words of a hospital doctor that i was told in Jan 6th 2009 that i had a rare form of non hodgkins lymphoma high grade, and my chances were not good.

I went though hell for the next year as the chemo didnt work,so the chemo got stronger and stronger.

Mini beam was the worst as it meant staying in hospital for a month at a time so my immune system could recover.

Against docters orders between chemo i still managed to get out on my bike which was the hardest thing i have ever done.

Anyway to cut a story short i had a bone marrow transplant in March 2012 and by july 2010 the cancer had gone.

By the begining of 2012 i had made a complete recovery.

Any way this isnt about me its about your friend what im trying to say is there is all ways hope the worst thing to do is to give up .

I just hope this little story helps and i hope he gets over this hard time.

qeaou

This is a truly inspiring story, many thanks,
indeed it would be great for Rob to hear.

ethanhayes

qeaou wrote:

ethanhayes wrote:

My Grandad is essentially passing away due to cancer, can't be treated with anything because of his age and terrible heart, bloody shame.
So I can fully sympathise with you and your mate (but hey, who cant!)

Unless something comes up I'll get a picture tomorrow,rain or sine, 30mph winds or perfectly still
If it cheers the guy up for a minute or two then it's worth it - It would certainly make me smile!

Thanks for sharing, it is definitely worth to keep another guys hopes up and keep in smiling!
Very sorry to hear about your granddad.

qeaou wrote:

ethanhayes wrote:

My Grandad is essentially passing away due to cancer, can't be treated with anything because of his age and terrible heart, bloody shame.
So I can fully sympathise with you and your mate (but hey, who cant!)

Unless something comes up I'll get a picture tomorrow,rain or sine, 30mph winds or perfectly still
If it cheers the guy up for a minute or two then it's worth it - It would certainly make me smile!

Thanks for sharing, it is definitely worth to keep another guys hopes up and keep in smiling!
Very sorry to hear about your granddad.

Thanks about my Grandad. Went to visit him yesterday and I'm actually surprised at how upbeat he is about it all.
Took me a bit longer than expected to upload this, but here is something at least


http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3015/imag0477q.jpg for the bigger image

Sorry about the poor quality, dirty cycling fingers all over the lens

qeaou

Don't worry about the quality of the photo ethanhayes,
The real quality is of your effort, and it is very HD!
Thank you for your effort and support,
let's keep them coming for our cyclist friend in need

Mark Elvin

I'm printing off a sheet saying 'Rob Be Strong' now & I'll try to take it when I get out.